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POLITICO 44

Amendment sponsor Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) said the purpose of the rider is to support American jobs, such as those making halogen incandescent light bulbs. “This amendment does not ban energy-efficient bulbs from the Capitol, but instead makes sure that the energy-efficient bulbs used are mercury free and made in America,” Thompson said on the House floor Thursday night.

Thompson also said the small amount of mercury in the CFLs would require lawmakers to flee if one breaks. “This CFL contains mercury and if it breaks we have to evacuate this chamber,” Thompson said, holding up two light bulbs. “This halogen bulb is mercury-free and if it breaks, we get the broom.”

In a "Dear Colleague" letter Thursday, Thompson also emphasized the EPA’s guidelines for cleaning up a broken CFL bulb, although the EPA says the amount of mercury is less than one-hundredth the amount in a mercury thermometer.

Friday’s action was the third light bulb-related vote in the House this month.

Last week, the House adopted a rider by voice vote to the Energy Department spending bill to block standards for traditional incandescent light bulbs to be 30 percent more energy efficient starting next year. Also last week, the House rejected a stand-alone bill under expedited rules that would have blocked the light bulb efficiency standards.

This article first appeared on POLITICO Pro at 11:30 a.m. on July 22, 2011.

It was Liberal stupidity and "green" demands that brought us the CFL in the first place. In fact for years Liberals have demanded that the incandescent be replaced by the CFLs. Another symbol of Liberalism myopic stupidity.

It's past time to start making Liberals lie in the beds of stupidity they keep creating.

Actually it was market demands for more efficient bulbs. That whole "free market" stupidity is why they exist.

I replaced all the bulbs in my house with CFL's last year, and they've already paid for themselves during that time, and will save me even more money as time goes on. Only the truly stupid would think using them is stupid.

Typical shortsighted GOP thinking... Save a dollar today, that will cost you 5 next week. Just look what they are trying to do to education... I'm sure all those "savings" will pay off big time in 50 years!

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) recently released the results from its compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) safety study, which found that consumers may by able to use CFLs more broadly and safely than previously believed or understood. UL’s Safety Study found no fire or shock hazards in CFLs when used in light fixtures, lighting controllers, and switches traditionally used with incandescent light bulbs.

CFLs have continued to gain in popularity over the past decade with businesses and homeowners due to their increased interest in energy efficiency. In fact, CFLs are installed in approximately 11% of available sockets in homes. The findings from UL’s CFL Safety Study give consumers several reasons to use these energy efficient light bulbs in even more applications. Study findings revealed the following:

CFLs perform well and safely in a variety of lighting applications Temperatures of CFLs are generally lower than those of incandescents when used in a wide range of lighting applications CFLs’ lifespans may be reduced when used in fixtures where switches are turned on and off repeatedly, but will not pose any safety hazards when used according to manufacturer’s specifications Advancements in CFL technology improve performance and eliminate end-of-life issues that had previously raised safety concerns, like popping sounds or smoke

UL’s CFL Safety Study examined the following: substitution of CFLs into a variety of light fixtures, compatibility of CFLs with light controls, and safety hazards related to switches. Additionally, it studied end-of-life behaviors of CFLs, which is where most consumer concerns lie.

The light fixture substitution analysis tested for potential temperature hazards of using CFLs in common household lamps and open fixtures. Tests found that not only were there no safety hazards, but even the hottest CFL emitted less heat than a 40 watt incandescent light bulb. Additionally, this test did not find any end-of-life safety issues.

To read UL’s full research study, visit www.uluniversity.us/thoughtleadership.

CFLs are not a hazard. You have to distinguish between "is there any mercury" from "is there a harmful amount of mercury. The fact is, since the nation gets half it's power from mercury spewing coal powered power plants, and compact fluorescents are so much more efficient than old fashioned heater bulbs, that using CFLs means releasing less mercury into the environment. But, there is another alternative: New, LED lamps are very efficient, have excellent coloration, fantastically long life, and no mercury.

It was Liberal stupidity and "green" demands that brought us the CFL in the first place. In fact for years Liberals have demanded that the incandescent be replaced by the CFLs. Another symbol of Liberalism myopic stupidity.

It's past time to start making Liberals lie in the beds of stupidity they keep creating.

I also take issue with your use of words like "myopic" that you probably heard in a fourth-grade spelling class but no longer remember what they actually mean.

This is type of crap the House wastes it's days with, an unending list of BS bills to keep the "nutties" happy, while they're trying to drive the economy over a cliff. Now only if Perry will join group of loons, we can have a "loon off" lol

Such unbridled eloquence. You're almost as bright as the 9w CFL's you adore.

Perhaps it never occurred to you certain people, such as the elderly, have difficulty reading with these 'new and improved' products...or the fact they cost more, again an issue for those on a fixed income...or even more importantly, we should have the ability to CHOOSE whether we purchase them or not. Get a grip.

Here's how to get all lighting in government buildings converted over to CFLs and fast. Have President Obama say he opposes the use of CFLs and he supports keeping all federal building lit with 100% incandescent lighting. Within two weeks House Republicans will have a bill on the floor requiring CFL light bulbs in all federal building light fixtures.

I guess you think we should be able to choose to buy gasoline containing lead if we want. Or paint containing lead. Or insulation containing asbestos. Oh, that's right. Just like using the heat index, banning those is all part of a big government conspiracy.